Our favourite childhood activity of collecting stickers has evolved and become part of our skincare routine. Whilst they might seem a bit gimmicky at first, spot stickers and patches allow you to target specific areas of the face that aren't cooperating, without loading the rest of your face with acne products it won't thank you for.

'Spot patches are effective because they absorb excess fluid and have a vacuum-like effect that gets out any dirt and oil that could be causing a breakout. It then converts those impurities into a gel-like substance that sticks to the patch and is sealed away from the face', explains Dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman, author of Skin Rules.

However. Dr Jaliman warns that acne patches aren't the best method if you have cystic acne or are using a prescription topical: 'Cystic acne is deep under the skin and need much more than a patch to get rid of them. If you're currently using a prescription cream, adding a pimple patch on top containing acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, may be too much for the skin'.

Realistic expectations people.

We’ve tried and tested the best skin cleansing patches and spot stickers out there to help you fight unwanted blemishes. Sticker books at the ready!

Think of this as your tool kit for breakouts. No matter what type of spot it is, there's a patch to tackle it. These contain an array of spot-shrinking ingredients such as tea tree oil, volcanic ash and salicylic acid, to make sure spots are stopped in their tracks.

If you've dismissed spot stickers under the assumption they'll just end up stuck to your pillow by morning, think again. These patches contain two steps: a wipe to clean the area and a spot sticker that manages to stick like super glue to whatever spot you're trying to eliminate. You're guaranteed to see 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' effect to your breakout by morning.

Almost invisible to the naked eye, these clear, cruelty free acne patches are a great alternative to caking on concealer to hide your breakout. Free from any irritants such as fragrance and alcohol, these will soothe even the most sensitive of spots.

Technically, these aren’t designed to get rid of existing spots but are a brilliant prevention method. Don’t be dismissive because they resemble nicotine patches, wear them on your wrist during the day to improve energy levels and support the body’s metabolism.

For the oily t-zone sufferers, these patches instantly soothe any angry red breakouts and help soak up any oil around the area, without leaving spots dry and flakey. Use as soon as you feel a spot start to surface.

Have you ever seen Meghan Markle with a spot? We haven’t and we’re guessing it’s down to having Sarah Chapman as her go-to facialist. So, we trust her when it comes to solutions to make our spots disappear. They’re travel friendly with a handy oyster card-style wallet and basically eat away at our breakouts (sorry, not sorry).

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